Rhaphidophora decursiva is part of the Araceae family and its native range is Indian Subcontinent to S. China and Indo-China. It is a robust climbing plant and will send out long runners as it searches for more light or something to climb; provide your plant with a moss pole to encourage larger leaves to grow.
Leaf blades are oblong-ovate and are interspersed by up to 7 nodes, bearing only a cataphyll. As the plant matures, leaves become asymmetrically pinnately divided.
Genus name comes from the Greek ‘rhaphido’ meaning needle and ‘pherô’ meaning I bear; this refers to the macroscopic needle-like unicellular trichosclereids present in tissues - the purpose of which is to protect the plant from herbivores. Specific epithet possibly comes from ‘decursive’ which means ‘extending down the stem’, having the base of the leaf blade extending down the stem as two wings.
Pot: ø 12cm.
Foliage: Approximately 20cm.
Light: Bright indirect light, meaning the plant sees the sun for 0-4 hours per day - this could be through trees or a translucent curtain, it’s important for the plant to see the sky in order to thrive.
Water: Allow the first 2 inches of mix to dry out. Before watering, ensure the substrate isn’t compacted, if it is, aerate it with a few pokes of a skewer or blunt stick, pour water slowly over the top and allow the water to pass through the drainage holes.
Potting mix: A chunky, well draining mix composed of coco coir, perlite or vermiculite, orchid bark and worm castings.
Fertilising: Feed your plant every other watering during the growing season or when you observe active growth. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more.
Temperature: Ideally 18-28°C.
Humidity: Rhaphidophora would prefer higher humidity but do well to adapt average home humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a watered pebble tray or using a humidifier.
Rhaphidophora are toxic, keep out of reach of pets and children.